I love to be modest – Titilayo Laoye-Tomori

May 12, 2013 : Kemi Ashefon

Titilayo Laoye-Tomori

She is Mrs. Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, Osun State Deputy Governor and Commissioner for Education. These have been her portfolios for 29 months.

Does she earn salaries for the two positions? She says: “I earn salary as a deputy governor and not as a commissioner. Governor Rauf Aregbesola, is also the Commissioner for Works (he doesn’t earn allowance for that) and even before we won our mandate, he said I would handle the education portfolio. So far, I have coped well and he has confidence in whatever I do.”

Dismissing the picture of a stereotype deputy governor, who is always at war with the boss, Laoye-Tomori, an academic, who rose to the position of Principal Assistant Registrar at the University of Lagos in 1989, says the last 29 months have been the best in her career. “Any deputy governor, who does not realise he/she is to bring out the best in the governor is wasting his/her time. You are not to compete with your boss! I call the governor, Ogbeni. He is an intelligent man, who allows me to function without inhibitions.”

Again, you ask, how she, a Christian, has worked without rancour, with a Moslem governor. A mother of four (her second daughter clocked 40 years last weekend), who started her political career after she voluntarily retired from active employment, explains: “Unlike what people say about Ogbeni, he is an accommodating man, whose intelligence, coupled with the fear of God, have been of tremendous help to his administration.

“I am a born-again Christian and I also classify him as a born-again Moslem. First, he believes every one should practise his/her religion in whatever way they please. His best friends are Christians and he knows that I don’t joke with my church programmes. I tell him anytime I am going to church and he doesn’t interfere with that aspect of my life. Moreover, there are 37 members in his cabinet and 26 of us are Christians. How come, he hasn’t influenced that? Again, in the state assembly, out of the 26 members, only 10 are Moslems. Meanwhile, his cabinet has about eight women and he respects us alot.”

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Amos Laoye over 60 years ago, she is the Otunba Ariwajoye of Imoru land. What was the attraction to politics? Though she confesses to have have joined politics after becoming a grandmother, Mama, as she is fondly called, says, “I have always believed in advancing the cause of women and youths. So, when I was invited to join Ogbeni as his running mate, he gave me a green book, which he called his manifesto. After going through it, I was thrilled with the ideas which were in tandem with my beliefs.

“Initially, there was resistance from my family members, who were afraid, but I later got their support. Politics has given me the opportunity to practise and achieve my dreams for women and the youth.”

To women, who are aspiring to be politicians, she has this to say: “Wait for when it’s convenient for you and your family. You cannot be a nursing mother and think you can succeed in politics. Politics is time-consuming. Though you can be an active politician in your constituency, never leave your children at the mercy of others. You need to succeed at home as a mother too. Fortunately for me, all my children are married and they are the ones who call me and ask after my welfare.”

A typical day at work for her is hectic but she finds pleasure in what she does. “If you are working for a man like my boss, then, you have to be on your toes 24/7! Really, no one would blame him because what we met in all sectors, especially in education, when we took over government, was a mess! In 29 months, we have been able to achieve what a so-called government could not do in seven and a half years. Currently, we have decided to digitalise education in Osun State through the Opon Imo Initiative and that project has kept me on my feet for a while. The joy of the job is seeing smiles on peoples’ faces, especially children in the state,” she adds.

Nothing about her conduct gives her away as a grandmother. Though she reveals not being an exercise freak, she states that she still finds time for the treadmill, early morning jogs, walks and her diet.

Her diet? “I eat lots of vegetables. I don’t drink alcohol or smoke and I hate carbonated drinks. I would rather go for pawpaw, cucumber, oranges- which I blend and drink. I don’t eat much either,” she answers.

But she would not erase the grace of God, which she describes as, “my strength.” What are the other secrets of her looks? “I don’t stress myself. Despite my busy schedule, I find time to rest and being a spiritual person, I also pray a lot. I have always been contented with what I have and whatever I cannot get, I would not stress myself aspiring for them. I am not extravagant and would not run after what is the fad,” she says.

At this point, she gives an advice to women: “I always advise women to work hard and be the best in whatever they do. There is no short cut to anything in life; no short cut to success. I must confess that for any woman, before she is termed a success, she would work three times more than a man, otherwise, nobody will recognise her. It’s unfortunate but that is what happens. Hardwork pays and with the fear of God, the sky is not the limit.”

Style, for Laoye-Tomori, is simplicity. “It means elegance and smartness. I love to be smart and modest in my appearance. I would not describe myself as a stylish person but I love to look good and dress age — appropriate. It’s appalling to see women expose certain parts of their bodies; it is wrong! We are beautifully created by God and we must maintain the beauty of God in us. You don’t have to be half-naked to be attractive. The best and intelligent female politicians who are respected in the world, are known to dress with dignity,” she says.

I agree with all the Otunba has said. The State of Osun is really moving. However, I have not been able to access, for assessment, their education blueprint arising from the Education Summit they had. They are busy, though. The busier a government is, the easier it is for the citizens to get employed!

Spokesperson for the Senate Unity Forum, Senator Kabir Marafa, saying his colleagues passed a vote of confidence in Dr. Bukola Saraki’s senate leadership in order to spite President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress leadership.